Xu Xiang
About the designer:
Xu Xiang, scene designer. Vice-general
Manager of Stage Design Society of China, Vice-president of the
Central Academy of China. He received a BA in Stage Design from
Shanghai Academy of Drama in 1984, He received his MFA in Stage
Design from the Central Academy of Drama in 1989. Xu has designed
for many prominent state theatres as well as regional theatres
across the country, such as Shanghai Theatre Art Center, Shanxi
People's Art Theatre, Liaoning People's Art Theatre, Heilongjiang
Opera and Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Shanyang Rep., the Central
Academy of Drama, etc.. As a prominent designer, Xu has received
the following honors and awards:
"Vitalizing Award" by Spoken Drama Research Society
of China, for his contribution to Chinese stage in general, 1991.
"Best Scene Design" by Northwestern Theatre Festival,
for his design of OLD WALL, Shanxi People's Art Theatre, 1991
"Best Scene Design", by Shanxi Theatre Festival, for
his design of BAI JU YI, Shanxi People's Art Theatre, 1991.
"Golden Lion Award" by Spoken Drama Research Society
of China, for his contribution to Chinese stage in general. 1996.
"Wen Hua Grand Award" and "Scene Design Award"
by the Culture Ministry of China, for his design of EAGLE, Director:
Wang Ying-Song, Hei Long Jiang Opera and Dance Theatre, 1993.
"Five One Project Award" by the Central Propaganda Department
of Chinese Communist Party, for his design of MERRY GIRL, Liaoning
Children Art Theatre, 1992.
"Best Scene Design" by Shenyiang Art Festival, for his
design of THE SEASON OF LOVE, Shanyiang Rep., 1993.
Representative Works:
ANDUL
Director: Lioa Xinag-Hong, Scene
Designer: Xu Xiang, the Central Academy of Drama, 1996
The show tells a story of the Jewish community in an imaginary
little European town during the World War II. Xu created a realistic
looking set on a full stage turning table, with a town square
on one side and an interior scene on the other side. The whole
set shared an aged, off white tone to begin with. As the plot
develops, the plaster on the walls comes off gradually, to reveal
the bloody dark red color beneath. It gives the set a symbolic
tone, as the result.
CHERRY ORCHARD
Director: Xu Xiao-Zhong, Scene
Designer: Xu Xiang, the Central Academy of Drama, 1993
Xu worked on an environmental set for this production. The basic
set was a "founded" location, with added on set pieces,
and setting areas. The audience was asked to move from one location
to another location, during the intermission.
PRIVETS
Director: Liao Xiang-Hong, Scene
Designer: Xu Xiang, the Central Academy of Drama, 1987.
Xu described his set as a symbol of the humanity's struggle during
the World War II. The set presented a corner of a building, which
was once elegant and beautiful, but it is in ruins now. The hope
and the future came from the the characters, who were struggling
in their fight for survival and their dream for the future.
GHOST SONNET
Director: Zhang Fu-Chen, Scene Designer: Xu Xiang, the Central
Academy of Drama, 1991
Xu used clock as a metaphor for this show, since it starts and
ends with clock in the script. He felt that the clock and its
ticking sound are urging the family to move to its fate. The whole
set took the shape of a group of clock gears, which turning and
ticking through out the show.
THUNDERSTORM
Director: Lu Li-Bin, Ma Shu-Yun, Scene Designer: Xu Xiang, the
Central Academy of Drama, 2000
This is one of Xu's most recent works. He tended more to create
an environment for the show with multiple commentary symbols (such
as the car in the wall)elements, than to present the locations.
Some thoughts from the designer:
"I like to read the script very carefully. Sometimes, read
it several time in a run. Then, I like to throw the script's stage
direction away. And, focus on searching for what is the best way
to reflect my impression of the play. Extensive research on the
subject is always a major part of my design process. I also very
care about the visual composition of the set. No matter what style
I'm working with, I always want it looks good. It should be enjoyable
to look at to the audience. And I want to make the set work well
with the director and actors to help them as much as I can."
the Designer's Contact information
Mailing Address:
The Central Academy of Drama, 39 Dong Mian Hua Hu Tong, East District,
Beijing, P. R. China, 100710
Cell Phone: 13601078333
